This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: If you're experiencing issues where WPML automatically re-translates existing text every time you update something visual on the main page of your multilingual website, this can be frustrating, especially if the translations require human review to ensure accuracy. Solution: We recommend using the 'Minor edit - Don't update translation' checkbox in the WordPress Editor. Before you update your content, simply check this box in the right sidebar. This action prevents WPML from changing the translation status and re-translating the text. It's important to note that this option should only be used for minor adjustments that do not add new content. If new content is added, such as an image or a new section, you will need to update the translation accordingly. For situations where different layouts and designs are needed in different languages, consider using the 'WordPress Editor' as your translation method. You can find more details in our guide on using different translation editors for different pages: Using Different Translation Editors for Different Pages.
If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. Should you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to open a new support ticket at WPML Support Forum.
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Background of the issue:
Hi, I need some help. I manage a multilingual website (carbstone.be), and when I add an image or another element to a specific page (the main Dutch version), WPML also adds it when I click the update icon. Convenient...However, the problem is that WPML also automatically re-translates the text, which I do not want. Especially the German text is never 100% accurate and needs to be reviewed by a human.
How can I prevent WPML from re-translating the existing - already translated - text every time I update something visual on the main page?
Looking forward to your advice. Thanks in advance!
Symptoms:
WPML automatically re-translates the existing text, especially the German text, which is not 100% accurate and needs human review.
Questions:
How can I prevent WPML from re-translating the existing translated text every time I update something visual on the main page?
Languages: English (English )German (Deutsch )French (Français )
Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)
Hi,
Can you check if these settings are active? If you have "Translate Everything Automatically" active, every change on the original would be automatically translated.
Hi Bruno, thanks for the reply. So, I need to turn off 'automatic translations'? Is that correct? I do want WPML to translate everything when I create an entire new page, but I don’t want it to retranslate all the existing translated texts again later when I make additional changes. If I disable the 'automatic translations' option, will WPML stop translating entirely? It's a little unclear to me... By the way, I can’t find the settings from the first screenshot because my settings are in Dutch. Are these settings available in the plugin or through my account on the WPML website? The only thing I want is for WPML to leave content that has already been translated alone, while any newly added content (including newly created pages) should be translated. Thanks again.
Hi Andreas, I found the box. So, if I check 'Minor edit – do not update the translation,' WPML will not retranslate the existing and already translated text, but only the NEWLY added content, right? Just to be clear. So I need to remember to check this box every time I add something new to existing pages. (i use Elementor page editor fyi and my settings are in Dutch in WordPress.) I hope this helps!
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )German (Deutsch )
Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)
This box can be checked if you make a minor adjustment but you do not want the translation status to change, which means you do not plan to update the translation.
Now, if you actually add new content to the original page or post, like for example an image or a new section, then you would need to update the translation.
Translations that are done with the WPML Translation Editor will always use the same layout and design in different languages.
If your goal is to use different layouts and designs in different languages, you will need to use the "WordPress Editor" as a translation method.
Hi, it’s not just about adding an image but also a new section with a title and text on the homepage (which is in Dutch). To make it easier, I click on the translation icon in WordPress under pages, so the newly added parts are copied to all translated pages. But that’s where the problem starts: the existing text that has already been translated gets translated again. The website I manage belongs to a client and has German, French, and English versions. The automatic translator of WPML is never perfect and always requires human review. Especially the German translation needs thorough revision. So when I add something new to the homepage (Dutch) or any other page, and click the translation icon to have, among others, the German version updated, all previously translated content gets translated again, meaning someone with knowledge of the German language has to review it again. That’s something I wanted to avoid. Until now, I copied all the correct text first into a document to later check it again after retranslation for safety. Very cumbersome. So hopefully this can help me. Thank you!
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )German (Deutsch )
Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)
Clicking the "Don't update translation" checkbox before saving the original content is the only option we can offer.
WPML would otherwise expect that the translation needs to be updated and if the original content was altered, it will reset the translation memory inside the Advanced Translation Editor for the affected segments. This is why those segments will be translated again. This is expected, as this is how WPML functions.
